Visa fees, the health surcharge and extensions

Moving to the UK involves two major upfront costs: visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Together, these can total several thousand pounds per person—and if you're bringing a family, costs multiply quickly. Understanding what you'll pay, when you must pay it, and how to plan for extensions will save you stress and money.

How much will your visa cost?

Visa application fees vary dramatically by visa type and duration. From 8 April 2026, the Home Office raised most fees by approximately 6–7 per cent. A Skilled Worker visa now costs £819 (for visas up to 3 years), a Student visa £558, and a Spouse visa entry clearance £2,064. Visitor visas cost £135 for six months or £506 for two years. These are the Home Office application fees only—they do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge is a separate mandatory fee charged for nearly all visas longer than six months. It gives you access to NHS (National Health Service) healthcare on the same basis as a UK resident for the full duration of your stay. The IHS is paid upfront in full—not in instalments—and covers every year of your visa duration.

IHS costs for 2026

• £1,035 per year for most adult applicants (Skilled Workers, Spouse, Family routes)
• £776 per year for students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants, and applicants under 18
• £0 for Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependants (full exemption)

These rates have been frozen since February 2024 and were not increased in the April 2026 fee update. However, they are set by statutory instrument and can change at any time—always check gov.uk before applying.

How the surcharge is calculated

The IHS is calculated in six-month blocks for the full period of your visa. If your visa lasts 2.5 years, you pay for three full years. If you apply for a 5-year Skilled Worker visa as a family of four on the standard rate, your total IHS cost will exceed £20,000 before any application fees are added. The surcharge must be paid before your application will be processed—no payment, no visa.

Unlike a visa application fee, you will receive a full IHS refund if your application is refused. You may also claim a partial refund (for unused months) if your leave is curtailed after being granted, or if you switch to a lower-surcharge visa category. However, no refund is due if you use your leave fully or if you are removed from the UK following an immigration breach.

What the IHS does and does not cover

The IHS covers NHS hospital treatment, GP consultations, and emergency care on equal terms with UK residents. It does not cover prescriptions (which cost £9.90 per item in England), dental treatment, eye tests, or glasses—these are charged at standard NHS patient rates. Many regular medication users benefit from a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (£114.50 per year in England). In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free to all residents regardless of IHS status.

Extending your visa and managing costs

When your visa approaches expiry, you must apply to extend before the expiry date. Extension fees are the same as initial visa application fees, plus you must pay the IHS again for the new period of leave. This means a visa extension costs nearly as much as the original application.

Applying before your visa expires

It is your responsibility to apply for an extension before your current visa runs out. The law protects you under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971: if you submit a valid, in-time extension application before your visa expires, your lawful status is automatically extended while the Home Office makes a decision. You can continue to work or study under the same conditions as your previous visa, and you remain legally in the UK—even if your original visa expires during processing.

Section 3C leave does not apply if you apply late (after your visa has already expired). A late application—even by a few days—means you will not be protected and may be treated as an overstayer. Overstaying without valid permission is a criminal offence and can result in a ban on re-entry. Generally, applications submitted more than 14 days after visa expiry are considered invalid unless you have evidence of exceptional circumstances.

When to apply

Apply for your extension well before your visa expires—ideally several weeks in advance to allow time to gather documents and attend a biometric appointment (fingerprints and photograph). Mark your visa expiry date in your calendar and set a reminder. Many people aim to apply within the final two to three months of their current permission.

Priority and Super Priority services

Standard visa and extension processing can take weeks or months. If you need a faster decision, the Home Office offers two paid expedited services, available for both applications from outside the UK and extensions within the UK.

• Priority Service: £500 (in addition to the visa or extension fee). Target decision within 5 working days of your biometric appointment.
• Super Priority Service: £1,000 (in addition to the visa or extension fee). Target decision by the end of the next working day (or 2 working days if your appointment is on a weekend or public holiday).

Both fees are per applicant and non-refundable, even if processing takes longer than promised due to missing documents, security checks, or complexity of your case. Paying for priority service does not guarantee approval—your application must still meet all eligibility requirements. If your application is incomplete or you are asked for additional evidence, processing will be delayed regardless of whether you paid for expedited service.

When employers cover visa costs and clawback clauses

Many Skilled Worker visa sponsors (employers) offer to pay visa application fees and the IHS on behalf of the sponsored employee. This can amount to thousands of pounds per person, especially for multi-year visas and family dependants. However, employers often protect their investment through a clawback clause written into the employment contract.

How clawback clauses work

A clawback agreement allows an employer to recover some or all of the visa costs paid out if you leave employment within a set period. For example, your contract might state that you must repay 100 per cent of visa fees if you resign within 6 months, 50 per cent if you leave within one year, or nothing if you stay for two years. The employer pays these costs upfront to allow you to get your visa without being out of pocket.

What clawback can and cannot cover

Clawback clauses can lawfully cover the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, as these are costs for which you as the sponsored worker are technically liable. However, certain costs must never be clawed back from you: the employer's Sponsor Licence fee, the Certificate of Sponsorship assignment fee, and the Immigration Skills Charge. These are the employer's legal responsibility and cannot be passed to you under any circumstances.

Employers may also seek to recover legal advice fees, but must ensure the amount is reasonable and that you had a genuine choice in whether to use legal services. If your employer appointed a solicitor without your input, it may be difficult for them to enforce repayment of those legal costs.

What to do before signing

If your employer offers to cover all or part of your visa costs, confirm this in writing before you apply. Ensure your contract specifies which costs are covered—for example, visa fee only, or visa fee plus IHS for the main applicant but not dependants. A well-drafted clawback clause should be proportionate and fair. Avoid contracts where the clawback period is extremely long or the amount disproportionate to your salary.

Budgeting: the full picture

When you plan to come to the UK, budget for all costs together, not just the visa fee. For a family of two adults on a 5-year Skilled Worker visa: the main applicant pays approximately £819 (application fee) plus £5,175 (IHS at £1,035 × 5 years); the spouse or partner pays approximately £2,064 (spouse visa entry clearance) plus £5,175 (IHS). Total: approximately £13,233 before any priority services, biometric fees, or translation costs. If one employer covers these costs under a clawback agreement, ensure you understand the repayment terms before you accept the job offer.

For students, the Student visa fee is £558 and the IHS is £776 per year of study. A three-year degree programme costs approximately £558 + (£776 × 3 years) = £2,886 in visa and health surcharge fees alone. Dependants—such as a spouse or children—pay their own full visa and health surcharge costs on top of this.

These costs are a significant upfront investment. Plan financially before you apply, and explore whether your employer or educational institution will support you. If you are close to the decision deadline and cannot afford the full fees, contact your employer or university as soon as possible to discuss options.